Tips For Staying Safe On Darknet Markets
Understanding Darknet Markets and Fentanyl
Officials said they collaborated with law enforcement agencies in Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Brazil, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. “Our message to criminals on the dark web is this, ‘You can try to hide in the furthest reaches of the internet, but the Justice Department will find you and hold you accountable for your crimes,’” Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a press conference in Washington. The total number of arrests was the highest ever for any JCODE operation and more than double that of the largest previous law enforcement action, officials said. As illustrated below, the transaction volume of Chinese chemical shops correlates positively with fentanyl interdictions the next month at the U.S. southern border.
While some members of the marketplace were dismayed by the measure, citing the belief in “free markets,” a portion of actors expressed support for the ban on moral grounds. Others felt the decision was a strategic move to reduce law enforcement interest in the community. Regardless of how vendors try to conceal their fentanyl listings on the dark web, their activities can nevertheless be exposed through blockchain analytics. Our research shows that it is likely that some Chinese brokers are actively involved in the sale of chemicals on the darknet.
Recent estimates put the cryptomarkets as a substantial but definite minority of the drug market overall, worth around €750,000 Euro per day for sites serving European locations [21]. The Global Drug Survey records steady growth in use among its respondents, from 4.7 in 2014 to 15% in 2020 obtaining at least some of their drugs from darknet sites in the previous 12 months [22]. Products sold range widely, with an emphasis on cocaine, cannabis, novel psychoactive substances, sedatives and stimulants. Most illicit drugs are available in some form, but the product balance tends towards the ‘psychonaut’ profile, those who use drugs for self-exploration [23].
The emergence of the internet has led to the proliferation of various platforms, including darknet markets. These marketplaces often serve as hubs for illegal transactions, with substances like fentanyl among the most concerning products sold.
“The drug trade is moving to the digital space, online, because of its anonymity and its ease of use,” Lalande says. Whistleblowers in government or industry who don’t want to be identified can use it to flag journalists to practices they see as immoral or illegal. People living in authoritarian regimes may use it to avoid detection while some access it to avoid having their internet use tracked. “[Given that] the dark web is anonymous, it allows for a very easy vehicle in order for people to buy drugs,” Lalande says. Liam buys only from Canadian drug vendors, fearing that importing heroin and meth across the border would put him at risk of investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency.
This enables us to share real-time data with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Fusion Center, and the U.S. The Dutch national police’s Cyber Enabled Crime Team was involved in the operation, codenamed SpecTor. It seized 50.8 million euros ($53.4 million) in cash and virtual currencies, 850 kilograms of drugs, and 117 firearms were seized in a series of raids in several countries.
Wang Mingjing is an official of Hebei Xiuna and the founder of Hebei Crovell Biotech Co., LTD. (河北克拉维尔生物科技有限公司) (Hebei Crovell), a vendor of fentanyl-analogs whose employees market and export drugs, as well as manufacture them. Hebei Crovell has also publicly advertised the sale of 4-anilinopiperidene, a fentanyl precursor, as well as precursor chemicals of other illicit drugs. JCODE is an FBI-led Department of Justice initiative, which supports, coordinates, and assists in de-confliction of investigations targeting for disruption and dismantlement of the online sale of illegal drugs, especially fentanyl and other opioids. JCODE also targets the trafficking of weapons and other illicit goods and services on the internet.
USPIS teamed up with domestic and international law enforcement to take out Wall Street Market in 2019. Cooperating with law enforcement in the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands, agents arrested and charged three men as the masterminds behind the online underground bazaar. At the time, Wall Street Market had 5,400 vendors selling and shipping illegal drugs, including opioids, to 1.5 million customers. A snapshot of the sale of fentanyl and its analogues across several popular darknet markets between 2 January and 27 March 2019 reveals the amount, types and physical forms available. Of the 127,541 unique drug listings identified, 13,135 were opioids (10.3% of all drugs), of which 1,118 (0.876% of all drugs) were fentanyl or its analogues.
The man also is charged with one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, court papers show.The man has been in federal custody since his arrest on May 4. The female defendant is expected to make her initial federal court appearance in the coming weeks. Each defendant also would face up to life in federal prison, prosecutors noted. Recent years have witnessed the trend of studying opioid use disorders using anonymous marketplaces and forums data [5,8,10] and public social media data (eg, Twitter and Instagram) [11-14]. Gilbert et al [15] described changes in the conceptualizations, techniques, and structures of opioid supply chains and illustrated the diversity of transactions beyond the traditionally linear conceptualizations of cartel-based distribution models.
What Are Darknet Markets?
Darknet markets are online platforms that require specific software, such as Tor, to access. They allow users to buy and sell goods and services anonymously, often related to illegal activities. The anonymity provided by these markets can attract various illegal trades, including pharmaceuticals.
Fentanyl: A Growing Concern
- In addition, persons that engage in certain transactions with the individuals and entities designated today may themselves be exposed to sanctions or subject to an enforcement action.
- One study, published by the International Journal of Drug Policy, scrutinized lab results of more than 200 samples of drugs that were purchased on so-called cryptomarkets and collected by a Spanish NGO from 2014 to 2015.
- Operation Dark HunTor led to 65 arrests in the United States, one in Bulgaria, three in France, 47 in Germany, four in the Netherlands, 24 in the United Kingdom, four in Italy, and two in Switzerland.
- Dark web drugs market operators and vendors are aware of the increased law enforcement scrutiny and seizure efforts that arise from stocking fentanyl – resulting in many banning them outright.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is often misused, leading to numerous overdose deaths. Its potency is significantly higher than that of morphine, which makes it particularly dangerous. The rise in fentanyl-related incidents has drawn attention to its availability on darknet markets.
What Darknet Markets Sell Fentanyl?
Below are some prominent darknet markets known for selling fentanyl and related products:
- Silk Road 3.1: An infamous market that has returned with various illicit substances, including fentanyl.
- AlphaBay: Once the largest darknet market, it has many vendors offering potent opioids.
- Dream Market: Known for diverse illicit goods, with several vendors specializing in fentanyl.
- DarkMarket: This popular site features multiple sellers of synthetic opioids including fentanyl.
- Empire Market: Offers a wide range of drugs, with fentanyl being frequently sold.
Types of Fentanyl Products Available
Darknet markets typically offer various formulations of fentanyl, which may include:
- Fentanyl Powder: The most common form, used for illicit manufacturing.
- Press-Fit Fentanyl Tablets: Designed to mimic legitimate pharmaceuticals.
- Fentanyl Patches: These are often misused for their concentrated dosage.
- Analogue Substances: Variants of fentanyl that are chemically modified to evade legal restrictions.
The Risks of Purchasing Fentanyl on Darknet Markets
Buying fentanyl from darknet markets comes with several risks, including:
- Legal Consequences: Engaging in illegal transactions can lead to prosecution.
- Health Risks: The unknown purity and dosage can result in fatal overdoses.
- Fraud and Scams: Many vendors may not deliver the promised goods, and users may face financial loss.
- Cybersecurity Threats: Exposure to malware and hacking risks is significant when accessing these markets.
FAQs About Fentanyl on Darknet Markets
1. Is fentanyl easy to find on darknet markets?
Yes, many vendors offer fentanyl products due to high demand.
2. What safety precautions should I take if I consider purchasing from a darknet market?
Using strong encryption, VPNs, and ensuring anonymity is crucial, though illegal activities are inherently risky.
3. Are there legitimate medicinal uses for fentanyl?
Yes, fentanyl is prescribed for severe pain management, particularly in cancer patients, but its illegal use is highly dangerous.
4. What should I do if I know someone abusing fentanyl?
Encourage them to seek help from professionals or support groups dedicated to substance abuse recovery.
The availability of fentanyl on darknet markets emphasizes the challenges law enforcement and health professionals face in combating substance abuse and illegal trafficking. Awareness and education are critical in minimizing the risks associated with its consumption.
